Chemical Chaos

Stephen K. Scott

Chemical Chaos

Stephen K. Scott

Description

Although chaos theory challenges fundamental ideas in all areas of science, many of the most intriguing and illustrative examples arise in chemistry. This valuable and penetrating account of chemical chaos reviews both theoretical and experimental approaches to the subject, emphasizing the simple features that combine to produce "order within disorder." The book details how chaos does not appear suddenly or at random, but is created through one of a small number of highly ordered sequences of increasing complexity. The author begins by revealing the links between chemical kinetics and the interdisciplinary subject of dynamical systems. He goes to introduce various bifurcation sequences through representative model schemes which emphasize generality and simplicity. Various experimental and diagnostic techniques to test for chaos are then described, and the book concludes with a review of experimental studies across a wide range of chemical and biochemical systems. The book will be welcomed by researchers and students of physical chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and chemical and mechanical engineering.

Chemical Chaos

Stephen K. Scott

Reviews and Awards

"A serious and comprehensive introduction to chemical chaos. . . .I can enthusiastically recommend the book to chemists who want to learn what all the fuss over chemical chaos is about. It is a no-nonsense book, written by a chemist for chemists, without unnecessary mathematical frills or philosophical fancies." --Nature

"An important contribution on the application of dynamical systems in the chemical field. The author provides both a theoretical introduction, as relevant to chemistry, and a presentation of experimental observations. He shows us that chemistry gives the clearest evidence that deterministic chaos abounds. I imagine that this book could be very useful for both mathematicians and chemists." --Mathematical Reviews

"A well-written account of the research over the past 20-plus years on the nonlinear dynamics of chemical reactions. . . . one of the best treatments of the subject. . . . anyone wishing to learn about dynamics and chaos in chemical systems would do well to pick up a copy of this book."--Dwight Barkley (University of Texas, Austin), SIAM Review